Senior Taylor Castevens and sophomore Xander Heizer were named Cadets of the Quarter on December 18 by Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ (CHCCS) new Public Service Academy. Castevens was awarded for the emergency medical technician (EMT) academy and Heizer for the fire academy.
“Everyone likes recognition for a job well done,” Chief Perry Hall, who teaches the classes, said. “[The award] shows the cadets that they are appreciated by myself and their classmates. By working hard and giving your all, others notice, and it gives them drive to push a little harder.”
Castevens and Heizer were chosen by their classmates, who elect a cadet from each academy as Cadets of the Quarter every quarter. At the end of the year, each academy will name one from the four cadets as Cadet of the Year.
Hall told his students to “choose someone who sticks out to them as a team player and leader, going above and beyond not only in the classroom, but in public service as well.”
Castevens said she nearly gave up on school and credits the academy for reviving her interest. When she was named Cadet of the Quarter, Castevens knew she had worked hard for the honor.
“[The class] changed my life drastically, and I am blessed and thankful we have [the class] now,” Castevens said. “It takes a lot of patience, thought, care and responsibility, and if you do it for the right reasons, do it to the fullest that you can.”
Heizer described being named Cadet of the Quarter as “honoring” and considers it his greatest accomplishment in the class.
“My dream job is to become a firefighter, and I thought this [class] could help me get to the place I need to be,” Heizer said.
Castevens was inspired to join the academy by her grandfather and father, both of whom served in the military and were firemen.
“It just was in my blood and something I’ve always wanted to do to give back,” Castevens said.
Both Castevens and Heizer recommend the CHCCS Public Service Academy to interested students.
“This class is really fun, and the teacher is awesome,” Heizer said. “I would definitely encourage people to take this class if they want to become a firefighter.”
This is the first school year that CHCCS has offered firefighter and EMT classes. In November, the Town of Chapel Hill Fire Department donated a firetruck to the academy.
